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Friday, 07 November 2008 03:01 |
If you don"t care for the often scented, and even more often expensive window cleaners on the market, there"s no reason at all that you can"t make your own cleaner at home!
It"s as simple as mixing 1/2 cup each of ammonia, water and rubbing alcohol. That"s it! Mix and put in a spray bottle, and you"re ready to go. Spritz your window and wipe it down with a lint free cloth. The solution is also good for car windshields, mirrors, counter tops and other surfaces.
However, you should be aware that ammonia has been known to damage painted and tinted surfaces. It is not considered safe for eyeglasses that have a tinted coating, windshields with the same, or even specially treated windows. For those, plain soap and water is your best bet, or else a soap/water/vinegar solution.
In the old days, people cleaned their windows with water and vinegar, then polished them with old newspapers. You can still do this today, but vinegar will not cut oil or grease that may have gotten on the window, particularly in the kitchen. So if you want to get nostalgic and try this method, mix 1/4 cup of white vinegar with two cups water, and add 1/2 teaspoon of liquid dish soap, and put it in a spray bottle.
Be careful with the newspaper polishing, though. Given that many are now made with recycled papers, and eco-friendly inks, the results may not be quite what you anticipate.
Another precaution to teach children, is sanitation. While there are few disorders/diseases that can be passed from a fish tank to humans, the water does contain bacteria not found in the child"s normal environment, so one of their first fish-keeping lessons, should be to always wash their hands after helping to clean the tank, or feed the fish.
Article Source: http://www.articledashboard.com
Visit www.learnhowtomakeit.com for instructions on how to make just about anything you can think of.
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Friday, 10 October 2008 09:01 |
There are times that we can never curb the forces of nature. This just goes to show that nature is, indeed, powerful and can destroy anything and everything. So, the only way we can do is to provide protection from the raging effects of nature.
One way to do this is through waterproofing. Waterproofing has been a great technique in preventing the penetration of water to any material.
Whenever you waterproof a material, you apply a certain waterproof matter that is designed to provide utmost protection against the imminent effect of water. This, in turn, serves as a wall between the material and water.
There are many types of waterproofing. One of them is canvas waterproofing. This method is used particularly on materials made of canvas.
In most instances, the typical type of cotton canvas is already a waterproof material. Therefore, it does not need any waterproofing. Its fibers puff up whenever they are exposed to water, thus, it closes the knits of the canvas.
However, because of the canvas’ vulnerability to mildew and “bird droppings,” it is still subjected to canvas waterproofing. This is because canvas waterproofing does not only protect the canvas from water alone but also from other substances that can cause damage on the item.
So, for those who want to know about canvas waterproofing, here are some pointers you need to know:
1. Do not use silicone-based canvas waterproofing.
Never attempt to use silicone-based canvas waterproofing on acrylic canvas. Silicone clashes with the original application.
Normally, acrylic canvas primarily contains a canvas waterproofing chemical known as fluorocarbon, which in turn, repels the silicone material when applied. If this happens, it will result into an erratic treatment. Silicon can also eliminate the “stain-resistance” substance in the acrylic canvas.
2. Use a product with fluoropolymer.
When doing canvas waterproofing, it is best that you use a fluoropolymer-based substance. This type of canvas waterproofing is compatible with the acrylic canvas. Hence, it will result into a more durable and sturdy acrylic canvas.
3. Use a waterproof material that contains petroleum.
Petroleum-based materials have long been proven to be effective when doing a canvas waterproofing. They are very compatible with acrylic canvas. Petroleum-based substances work best in canvas waterproofing than those substances that are water-based.
The best way to identify a petroleum-based substances to be used in canvas waterproofing is to through its pungent smell.
4. When performing canvas waterproofing, do it outdoors.
It is best that you do canvas waterproofing outside the house because of the substanceÂ’s very strong odor. You might get suffocated once you do it inside the house. Therefore, it is best that you do canvas waterproofing where there is proper ventilation.
Besides, these strong substances used in canvas waterproofing can also damage your furniture made of plastics. So, it is a must that you take extra care when doing canvas waterproofing.
5. Use protective covers for sensitive furniture.
If you will do a canvas waterproofing on a canvas dodger, it is best that you protect your plastic furniture first before you start with the process. You can do this by placing foil over the plastic materials.
6. Do a spot test first.
It is best that before you start the process, do a spot test first. This is to know whether the substance used in canvas waterproofing will not discolour your canvas or cause further damage.
7. Remove the canvas from the boat.
It is best that before you start waterproofing, you should first remove the canvas from the boat. This is to ensure that the hard surfaces will not slick. Also, there are waterproofing substances that can cause a damaging reaction against gelcoat.
However, if you find this tedious and very unworkable, try to protect all areas vulnerable to “overspray” instead.
8. Let it dry first.
After waterproofing, let the canvas dry first before reinstalling it. In this manner, the pungent smell will soon be eliminated.
However, experts strongly suggest that after the canvas has been dried, it would be better to apply a second dose of waterproofing. This is to ensure durability of the material. It is still safe to do this and will not affect the fabricÂ’s overall condition.
9. Reapply when necessary.
Repeat the process whenever the canvas is exposed in callous conditions. Though, experts say that after doing a waterproofing, the protection is guaranteed for one year at the least.
So, now that you know how to do canvas waterproofing, you can be assured that your canvas will always stay in top condition. As they say, it is better to prevent damage than to cure it.
Article Source: http://www.articledashboard.com
For more great waterproofing info and advice check out: www.waterproofingadvisor.com
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Monday, 26 May 2008 16:01 |
People the world over have a natural attraction to water, and it is not only because drinking water is essential to our survival; nor because it is very important for cleanliness. Water has a fascination that causes millions of people to visit, or want to live by, the sea, waterfalls, lakes and large ponds.
Both moving and still water are not just attractive to the human eye, but seem to have a therapeutic value. Moving water in particular is said to give off negative ions, which help to negate all the positive ions generated by modern living and can be harmful to our well being. Whatever the reasons, though, the fact is that people love water in nature. Closer to home, they like to bring those effects into their own gardens with water gardens, waterfalls, ponds and fountains.
What about within the home itself? Many of us bring nature and gardens into our home with plants, and decorative plant pots. It is therefore only one small step to bring in water features too. Water can, and does, play a very useful role in home decor; not on the grand scale in the average home, although it can do in a country mansion or more palatial home, but in miniature and in imaginative and decorative ways.
There are three main ways to use water features as home decor:
Indoor Waterfalls
By having an indoor waterfall in the home, you can bring to your home the sound of running water, which has such a relaxing effect. However, an indoor waterfall can do far more for your home. There are so many varied designs now, using quite a variety of materials, that you should be able to find a feature waterfall for the home that suits your decor, whether modern, traditional, or olde worlde.
There are basically two types of indoor waterfall: wall hanging, and free (or floor) standing. So, as far as the placing of the waterfalls is concerned, you have plenty of choice to fit in with your interior design. They come in many sizes, too, from very small right up to a very grand size of 6 feet plus in height and width. For the larger wall hanging waterfalls, you do need a substantially built wall on which to fix them. However, they can and do look very impressive; and the larger the size, the more potential you have for the sounds of flowing water.
The materials and finishes used can be chosen to fit in with either a modern or more traditional decor. Some of the most popular frames are stainless steel and copper, with a range of finishes to give either a shiny modern look, or an antique look with an aged finish. As in natural waterfalls, natural stone is often a feature of the indoor equivalent, as are pebbles. Slate, in many colours, is especially effective in indoor waterfalls.
Indoor Fountains
Indoor fountains are much like the waterfalls in terms of materials used. In fact, the names waterfall and fountain are often interchangeable when it comes to home decor. However, what you probably imagine as a water fountain can be found, and are often available in table top size. These can be very small, but still a delightful use of flowing water in the home, whether used on a table as a centrepiece, or as an ornamental feature on a sideboard.
Designs of the table top fountains can be quite delicate, and utilize decorative materials, such as jade and bamboo, in some unique ways. These table top fountains can go well in even a small modern home.
Fish Aquarium
While many people keep an aquarium because they like fish, and do so as a hobby, there is also a lot of potential to use an aquarium as a home decor feature. The sound of the water comes from the bubbling of the filter, while much additional movement and colour comes from the fish themselves. When you add some attractive lighting to the tank, you can create a very soothing water feature for the home.
As with fountains and waterfalls, an aquarium can be in a very wide range of sizes, free standing or built into a wall. The maintenance, of course, is much higher than for that of a waterfall or fountain, but you may well consider that worthwhile for all the pleasure the fish may bring.
If you have space, there is no reason why you should not combine all three of these types of water features. They are all attractive in their own way, and can complement each other in a larger home.
Article Source: http://www.articledashboard.com
This use of indoor waterfalls, fountains, and aquariums article was written by Roy Thomsitt, owner author of the Gardens and Decor web site.
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